Rachel Varble

Born June 13, 1917, on the family farm north of Kane, Ill., she was one of two children of Thomas Kyle "T.K." and Flora Temple (Conrad) Witt.

After graduation from Jersey Township High School in 1936, she moved to Alton to attend Central Illinois Beauty College and later began her business in Jerseyville and Kane.

On Aug. 31, 1941, she wed H. Lewis Varble of Kane in the Kane Baptist Church. They had five children, William, Janet, Barbara, Robert and Beverly.

In 1963, Rachel and Lewis moved their family to Lancaster, Calif. There she received her LVN license and practiced at local hospitals, nursing homes and senior care centers until she retired. After retirement, she enjoyed crocheting baby blankets and helmet liners for soldiers overseas.

Rachel is survived, not only by four of her children, but seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Children are William (Judy) Varble of Alton, Barbara (Lyle) Gwyther of Phoenix, Robert Varble of Lancaster and Beverly (Mark) Mewborne, also of Lancaster; grandchildren, Jennifer, Joshua, Meredith Gwyther and Amanda (Tom) Canter of Colorado Springs, Colo., Aubrie (William) Forero of San Diego, Kent Mewborne of San Diego and Allana (Ryan) Garza. Her great-grandchildren are Daphne Canter, Isabella Garza and Kaden Forero.

A memorial service was held Jan. 6 in Lancaster. A private burial service will be held at the gravesite in Kane Cemetery at a future date.